Shabbat Ekev – Deuteronomy 7:12
Isaiah 49:14

We are blessed people. No matter what frustrations, challenges and even terrors each of us faces, we are blessed people. We live lives in sturdy homes that we can heat in the winter and cool in the summer. We have food that we store in refrigerators. Some homes are larger than others. Some are cooled with fans and some are cooled with air-conditioning . . . but, , the most modest of our homes are palaces in the eyes of millions of people all over the world.

We are, even though we may question it, safe. We have a police force, an army, an air force and a navy to defend us against attack. We have a government that functions on democratic principles. The preservation of our freedom and our privacy, of our safety in the streets and in our homes, is the mandate of scores of government agencies.

We are truly blessed.

This week's Torah portion reminds us that it is our responsibility as Jews to lift our eyes beyond the boundaries of our immediate concerns in order to ease the burdens of others.

In Chapter 10 of Deuteronomy, we read, " You will love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. . . . Your ancestors went down into Egypt with seventy souls; and Adonay your God has made you as the stars of heaven, a multitude."

Time and again, the Torah reminds us of our blessings, that even if we feel at a loss and have suffered in our lives we are blessed just to be alive. Our responsibility is to share that blessing and fortune with others. We are taught by our tradition that even if you are poor you are still obligated to give Tzedakah to others more in need. As a congregation, we have a very active social justice program and there are many ways to get involved. Help us make a difference!

© 2005. Rabbi Peter C. Rigler, All rights reserved. Please do not use this material without express written permission of the author.

Shabbat Shalom,

HELP OUR DISCOVERY GARDEN GROW - Our Playground is nearly complete - Sponsorship opportunities for our new playground from pavers to Noah's Ark Playhouse. Contact Sharon Sood at (215) 782-8188 or via e-mail for information on how you can donate to this exciting project. A brochure was mailed to KI members and is available in the Administrative Office at KI.

REGISTER NOW - SUNDAY SOCCER LEAGUE - sponsored by the JCC Klein Branch/Kehillah - All boys and girls, pre-K through 7th grade as of September, 2005, are invited to join our intramural instructional soccer program held on the Mandell Campus in Elkins Park for ten consecutive Sundays beginning September 11, 2005. Registration is $85.00 Information and registration forms: (215) 635-0557 (Kehillah of Old York Road).

JEWISH GENEALOGY SEMINAR – Jewish Family Heritage: Connecting to Our Past on Sunday, September 18, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Adath Jeshurun. Registration: JGSGP members - $15; nonmembers - $20 Sponsored by Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia and Kehllah of Old York Road. Registration/Information: Mark Halpern via e- mail .

WRJ/SISTERHOOD OPENING PROGRAM—on Tuesday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m. Ethel Hofman, food columnist at the Jewish Exponent, cookbook author and past president of the International Association to Culinary Professionals, will discuss her book Mackerel at Midnight: Growing Up Jewish on a Remote Scottish Island. Discount copies available at $13 Sisterhood members free - $4 for non-members. Special dessert reception. RSVP to Joan Kamen at (215) 947-5926 by Monday, September 12 .

MONTHLY LUNCH AND LEARN PROGRAM FOR SENIORS who want to continue to live vital and independent lives. Meets 4th Thursday of each month at KI. Sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ STAR Program. Next meeting is Thursday, September 29, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Seniors and Friendship.” For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808- 6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address.

COMMUNITY FAMILY CONCERT— on Saturday, October 15—Stefan Jackiw, violin, Max Levinson, piano. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Concert at 8:00 p.m. Save the date!

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, Bids, Bites and a Bit of Jazz – on December 10, 2005, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., KI will host a goods & services auction to raise funds for KI’s scholarship programs. We hope you will come and bring your friends! We hope you will also consider donating a good or service. How about a weekend at your home in Aspen (or the Jersey shore) or that mint condition Dhurri rug? If you are a decorator, designer or other professional, consider offering a one-hour consultation. Let your creative juices flow and call Sharon Buckingham at (215) 885- 9429 to discuss donations. This event at KI in Elkins Park will include good food, good music and good fun.